"Trouble in Toyland:" 14 potentially dangerous toys

Holidays should be times of celebration and family fun -- not time spent worrying about a child's safety.

The U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) has identified examples of potentially dangerous toys that may endanger kids during the holiday season for its 27th annual "Trouble in Toyland" report.

"We should be able to trust that the toys we buy are safe," said Nasima Hossain, Public Health Advocate for U.S. PIRG. "However, until that's the case, parents need to watch out for common hazards when shopping for toys."

Dragster cars (choking)

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission bans toys intended for children under 3 if they contain small parts or easily break into pieces that are small parts.

These Dragster cars from Z Wind Ups contain small parts like a rubber traction band on the wheels, and have a choking hazard safety label "too small to read," according to PIRG. The label can be seen in the next image.

Credit: U.S. Public Interest Research Group

Dragster cars (label)

Here is a close-up of the safety label on Dragster cars that PIRG says is "too small to read."

Credit: U.S. Public Interest Research Group

Bowling game (choking)

This game from Cool Novelty Products, Inc. contains a choking safety label completely obscured by a manufacturer's label, PIRG says.

Credit: U.S. Public Interest Research Group

Play food (choking)

The small hot dogs in Wal-Mart's play food set pose a special hazard because it looks as though they should be eaten, warns PIRG.

Credit: U.S. Public Interest Research Group

Ball on a stick launcher (choking)

RT Toy Factory's $1 ball on a stick launcher contains small parts and a label that is too small to read, notes PIRG. Small parts are tested by being put through a cylinder designed to be the approximate size of the fully expanded throat of a child under 3. The label in question can be seen in the next image.

Credit: U.S. Public Interest Research Group

Ball on a stick launcher (label)

Here is a close-up of the warning label for the ball on a stick launcher with arrows. PIRG said this warning label is too small to read.

Credit: U.S. Public Interest Research Group

Baby

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) says balloons should not be marketed to children younger than 8 years old and balloons should never be purchased for toddler events. That's why PIRG says these 1st birthday balloons from Unique Industries, Inc., may pose a choking hazard.

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Baby

About 40 percent of the choking fatalities reported to the CPSC between 1990 and 2009 involved balloons, according to PIRG.

One more year doesn't make a difference when it comes to balloon safety. Like Unique Industries' eight-balloon pack for 1-year-olds, PIRG said the model for slightly older kids also poses a choking risk.

Credit: U.S. Public Interest Research Group

Golfing Game (choking)

PIRG didn't think Aoxing Toys Factory's warning label was sufficient, and said the product should have a small ball warning label.

Small balls require a more stringent diameter test than the choke tube tester used for small parts.

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Super Play Food Set (choking)

PIRG said because this toy food from Geoffrey LLC looks like it should be eaten, regulations that determine choking hazards should be changed. That's because some of the small food parts in this set passed the choke tube test but still may pose a risk, according to PIRG.

Credit: U.S. Public Interest Research Group

Dora backpack (phthalates)

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act bans concentrations of phthalates higher than 1000 parts-per-million (ppm). The chemicals, which are compounds added to plastics to make them more flexible and durable, have been tied to increased risk for premature births, birth defects, early onset of puberty and low sperm counts, notes PIRG.

This backpack made by Global Design Concepts Inc. did not exceed the federal limit (it contained 320 ppm),but PIRG said it violates Washington State law that requires disclosure of any measurable amounts of the compounds.

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Morphobot (lead)

Lead is used to soften plastic, but can break down with the plastic to form dust which children may inhale, according to PIRG. In August of 2009, regulations were passed that said children's toys and products could not contain more than 300 ppm of lead. This threshold was lowered to 100 ppm in 2011, but existing inventories that may have met the older limit were still allowed to be sold.

PIRG said this Morphobot toy from GreenBrier International Inc. violates the current 100 ppm limit because it tested at 180 ppm of lead.

Credit: U.S. Public Interest Research Group

Snake Eggs

Magnets have made recent headlines over safety hazards, when the Consumer Product Safety Commission went after Buckyballs, a magnetic adult desk toy that some kids have swallowed. Problems caused by the magnets included intestines snapping together; small holes in the stomach and intestines; blood poisoning and other serious injuries. In fact, loose small magnets that fit in the small parts choke test tube are banned for children under 14, with the exception of certain hobby, craft and science kits that contain a warning label.

These $1 snake eggs from GreenBrier International Inc. have an "ellipsoid shape," notes PIRG, making them easy to swallow.

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Guitar

Excessive noise could damage a child's hearing, so the Consumer Products Safety Commission sets decibel limits on toys depending on the distance they are meant to be held from a child's ear.

This Fisher-Price Guitar may violate the federal loudness standard, notes PIRG, because it tested above 85 decibels, when hearing experts say such products should be less than 80db.

Credit: U.S. Public Interest Research Group

Car Wheel/Horn

Toystate's Car Wheel/Horn also may violate enforceable loudness standards, says PIRG, because it tested at 85 dbs when it should be less than 80 dbs.

Credit: U.S. Public Interest Research Group

FunKeys Car Keys

For "close-to-the-ear" toys, the CPSC allows a maximum of 65 dB of sound when the toy is 1 inch from the ear. PIRG said this toy tested above 80 decibels.